Why do people drink protein shakes?

Where I am, a lot of people track their macros and drink protein shakes when they're not hitting their protein intake from food. I use pea protein for mine.

I just use Bulk Pea Protein isolate powder unflavoured as it seemed the least harmful. Tastes rank but OK if you add cacao powder, cinnamon, ginger, Yoghurt, blueberries etc.

When I was working with a PT my allowance was like 1800 cals, 30% of which needed to come from protein. Thats a lot of protein! Its quite hard to consume from animal and dairy, and also quite hard not to go over the calorie allowance. So I'd have 10g of protein powder in overnight oats. When I was bulking at say 2000 cals I'd have 20g, and a 10g protein fluff snack (Yoghurt mixed with powder and some rice cakes). Really it just keeps you slightly fuller.

Since I stopped training as much I may occasionally have a drink like Huel but only rarely as its no substitute for food. Its just if I'm not hungry, am busy etc. If I don't have something my focus drops massively, I really notice my Adhd ramps up. Probably more likely to eat a really UPF protein bar with a sandwich - these are terrible and I need to stop them and plan better! Just bad planning.

The Fast 800 one tastes nice but doesn’t have as much protein as the MyProtein one. I have watermelon flavour My Protein, it tastes ok but will try another flavour next time. I don’t drink it everyday only on days when I haven’t eaten much protein to top me up.
i don’t recall my mother checking to see if she’d eaten enough protein. We do have far too much to worry about!

What brand of clear protein drinks do you all like?

Well done on your weight loss OP.
I am on a diet of 1550 calories and need to have 100g of protein today.
I sometimes have a shake if I haven’t reached my protein goal but am close to my calorie goal.
I don’t like milk so I buy clear protein drinks that are more like a squash.
If you are looking to do strength training increasing your protein will help your strength.

I’m perimenopausal, vegetarian, losing weight and do lots of strength training. I eat well, lots of whole foods but I just can’t hit my protein goals without a bit of help. I use single ingredient powders (just whey or pea protein) without sugar/sweeteners or any other additives as I do try to avoid too much UPF.

Agree with a PP that we should also be focussing on fibre - I find that one a lot easier as I eat a lot of veg, pulses and whole grains

I have to admit I’m a bit confused now
about the messaging around protein.

I did subscribe to the ‘aim for at least 1.6/ 2gm of protein per kg of body weight’ as I weight lift.

But recently lots of nutritionists and dieticians are speaking out against this protein trend. Claiming there’s lots of misinformation out there from influencers who are PTs and not trained in nutrition. They say most people get enough protein and we should be focusing on fibre…

I was a big fan of Stacy Sims but she just keeps upping the protein amounts she recommends. Now she says 40g straight after weights. Another article I read says it doesn’t matter at what time of day you eat the protein abs long as you eat enough. There is no ‘window’ after working out we need to hit.

Anyway there is no way I’m getting 40g after a workout. I eat before and have Greek yoghurt, nuts and seeds. I pop a little scoop of natural bone broth based protein powder in my coffee. Then I figure I’m at around 30g for breakfast. Then I relax for the rest of the day and just try to include some protein at each meals and snacks but I’m not obsessive about it anymore..

Trying to refocus on fibre now as most people don’t actually eat enough of that.

I’d be cautious of things that are labelled “high protein” but aren’t in reality. Bars are typically oats and fillers. Stick to meat over gimmicks and a protein shake to hit the rest.

Compare to your poached eggs on toast and you might find they are similar nutritionally.

I do eat alpro protein yoghurt for breakfast a few times a week. Usually with berries. They are delicious 😋

It’s probably the most processed thing I eat. I do mostly eat whole foods and get my protein from tofu, lentils, beans and chickpeas as well as wholegrains and veggies.

Let us know how you get on 😊 I can’t stand them and I need to chew to be full but if I add an apple then psychologically I feel better about it.

I’m a marathon runner and do use them to up my intake. Although I’m not vegetarian I don’t eat much meat and i definitely don’t want to eat more than I already do

protein shakes are convenient and easy to absorb

I do agree they are a bit faddy though. Our Sainsbury’s now has a massive section dedicated to them

I wouldn’t listen to a word Joe wicks says.

I have protein drinks/shakes because I am vegan and on Mounjaro so my protein can be low because I am eating in a calorie deficit. I like the clear protein drinks as they taste like squash and aren’t particularly filling. Occasionally I have a shake, usually the ones around 100 calories so its just as a drink/snack and a bit of a protein boost. I like the brand My Vegan Protein.

Occasionally I have huel which is a meal replacement shake and would have that as breakfast or lunch but they are really filling (and I find do keep you full). I tend to use less powder and make with soya milk as I don’t like them too thick. I rarely do this since being on MJ. Before starting the diet I wasn’t really bothered about tracking protein and only started because now I eat a lot less overall.

As you @Braede , I went on a weight loss journey , around the same time as "protein" hit everything

I lost the weight and have been maintaining since. I have 1300 calories to play with in a day, so like you I would rather eat proper food then feel deprived

Like yourself Im not weight training, I walk , I walk at least five miles a day , I also have an active job ( cook in a commercial kitchen ) , I cycle and I throw in a half and full marathon each year - Im 61 and just over 5 foot

I eat enough to fill me. Yes I do feel more full and satiated on protein, so even when I have no appetite for food, I will eat a few spoons of cottage cheese, and a chicken fillet , and it will do me , or a lump of cheese and a few slices of ham/turkey. If I reach for bread or pasta - there is no filling me

The only time I take ( and force down ) protein bars/balls/snacks is on marathons , but I find jelly babies work for the boost needed much better :)

Maybe to stop themselves having something unhealthier? I don’t know, there was a person from the hse (health official Ireland), and she said that if you’re buying something extortionately priced because it’s protein look about and find another way. She said eggs chicken but also some of the supplements eg thrown into a soup are better than getting a soup that’s advertised as for your protein needs

Convenient, low calorie way of adding in protein if you’re trying to build muscle.

Protein has become a fad and I think most people are generally getting enough, but my husband and I train multiple times a week and sometimes it’s hard to meet my goal if I don’t have time to cook or meal prep. It also helps me to feel full which helps me to maintain my 50lb weight loss.

Does the average person need it? Nah. But if you like it and are using it sensibly I don’t see the issue.

Personally I make them myself. Very simple to make. I usually throw in a handful of frozen fruits, milk and a large scoop of protein powder. If you get pregnant made make sure to check the grams of protein. You're probably wanting 20g in a shake to feel nice and full

It’s all nonsense. Just eat normally.

I don't eat fish either. I am vegetarian. I eat beans and lentils daily, but that's not enough apparently.

I used ChatGPT, because DD’s dietary requirements are more complicated than just high protein. She has high cholesterol and needs a low fat diet, with 2 portions of fish (one oily) and 2 portions of pulses a week. She also needs 3 portions of dairy and adequate iron a day. All for 1700 calories a day.

ChatGPT’s first attempt had 25 eggs a week. I told it “Less eggs - say just three breakfasts a week!” It came up with another meal plan.

You're probably eating enough protein already (unless you're planning bodybuilding!). In terms of feeling fuller for longer, I'd opt for omelette/scrambled egg (with some spinach and grated cheese) over a protein drink every time.

I'm 51, and I avoid weight training. I think it's very easy (even with guidance) to over do it. I have two friends, one with with joint issues (wrist and shoulder) and one with hip issues, because they've been doing running and work out regimes that are just too much for their bodies now.

A generally healthy diet and moderate exercise is the best option (imo) for maintaining good health.

It fills me up all morning.
It’s hard to get 25gs of protein in eggs.
I don’t really feel like eating breakfast most days - but if I don't then I’ll be starving.
I’m trying to build muscle in middle age as well as lose fat.
It’s helping me keep my calories down.

I've had a gastric sleeve and sometimes I can't eat enough to hit my protein needs so protein drinks really help.